Georgia – Georgia’s governor has given approval for 100 new workers to be hired to help with new child safety case investigations in the state. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Gov. Nathan Deal recently released a statement saying there had been a significant increase in the number of reports of child abuse and neglect since the launch of a centralized 24-hour CPS intake center by the Division of Family and Children Services.

According to reports by the agency, there has been a backlog of over 3,000 investigations last month. As noted by the AP, Deal expressed hopes that efforts would result in there being a 15 to one caseload to worker ratio by 2017.

The report further notes that state officials have taken a series of measures to improve child welfare services following the high profile deaths of multiple children with whom the DFCS had previously involvement.